Newport County fans are celebrating even before the FA Cup, first round replay with Blackpool goes ahead next Wednesday.

The town is in the grip of cup fever and demand to watch County in their bid to topple the Second Division side is such that extra seating is being brought in.

County are putting up a 1,700 uncovered temporary stand at the Spytty Road end of Newport Stadium, lifting the capacity to around 3,700.

The fact that County will be backed by even more fans was welcomed by manager Tim Harris.

He said: "I am absolutely delighted. I just hope that those fans who were umming and aahing about coming because they couldn't get a seat will now come for what will be a memorable occasion." Wallace Brown, County chairman, said: "The reason is partly because of demand, but we are also conscious of the fact that people will be coming to the game for the first time and we want to give them the best view possible."

The club have already sold over 2,000 tickets and the ground record is certain to go. The top gate at the Stadium is 1,475 - set against Redditch on the day the Exiles returned home on August 24, 1994.

Tickets for the tie will be on sale at the stadium today from 2-7pm and tomorrow after admission for the Dr Martens League game against Tiverton. Further sales' sessions are planned, if necessary, for Monday and Tuesday between 10am and 4pm and then 6-8pm.

The club have stressed that there will be no sale of tickets on the day of the game. Prices for the temporary stand are £8 and £5 concessionary and those who have already purchased terrace tickets can upgrade for an extra pound - but they must take their tickets to the ground and pay the extra cash.

And Brown revealed that the stand would stay if County defeated Blackpool. He added: "We have permission to keep the stand if we win because we would then have a home game in the next round."

The winners will entertain either Tamworth or Rochdale in the second round. And the extra fans will obviously be a boost for County - and another worry for Blackpool boss Steve McMahon, who admitted: "It's going to be difficult at Newport. They'll pack the place to the rafters....but we're ready."

*PICTURED: Newport County fan Brian Reyolds, from Blaina, was just one of the hundreds of fans who were celebrating snapping up an FA Cup ticket at the ground yesterday.